Author: Julia
Ranft
B.A. American
Studies (HF), English Studies (NF)
Email: s0173273@stud.uni-frankfurt.de
Matrikelnummer: 7485864
The Future of (American) Music
Prof. Dr. Bernd Herzogenrath
Listening Report 7
Pierre Schaeffer - Erotic
Pierre Schaeffer's "Erotic" is a seminal piece of musique
concrète, a type of electroacoustic music that emphasizes the manipulation of
recorded sounds as its primary compositional technique. Schaeffer was a pioneer
in this genre, and "Erotic" is a prime example of his innovative
approach to sound composition.
At its core, "Erotic" is an exploration of
the sensual and erotic aspects of sound. Schaeffer takes a variety of recorded sounds, ranging from the
mundane to the exotic, and manipulates them in ways that bring out their erotic
potential. He uses techniques such as pitch shifting, time stretching, and
filtering to create a sonic landscape that is both immersive and evocative.
One of the most striking aspects of "Erotic"
is its use of non-musical sounds as its primary source material. Schaeffer takes sounds
that are not typically thought of as musical - such as footsteps, rustling
fabric, and breathing - and turns them into musical elements. By doing so, he challenges
our conventional understanding of what music is and what it can be.
Another notable aspect of "Erotic" is its use
of repetition and variation. Schaeffer takes short, simple sounds and loops them, building
complex rhythms and textures over time. He then introduces new sounds and
manipulates them in different ways, creating a constantly evolving sonic
landscape that is both mesmerizing and unpredictable.
Schaeffer's use of sound in "Erotic" is not merely
titillating, however. It is also a deeply intellectual exploration of the
nature of sound itself. By taking sounds out of their original context and
manipulating them in new ways, Schaeffer is questioning our assumptions about the way we
perceive and understand the world around us. He is asking us to listen
differently, to pay attention to the subtleties of sound and to embrace the
unexpected.
In conclusion, Pierre Schaeffer's
"Erotic" is a remarkable piece of musique concrète that explores the
sensual and erotic potential of sound. Through his use of non-musical sounds,
repetition, and variation, Schaeffer creates a sonic landscape that is immersive,
evocative, and intellectually stimulating. "Erotic" challenges our
assumptions about what music is and what it can be, and invites us to listen
more deeply and attentively to the world around us.
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